Anyone who has dipped their toes into the world of code and microcontrollers knows well that you don't need a desktop computer to program an Arduino or another similar device. In fact, a rooted Android smartphone and some software tools are more than enough, but Brian Benchoff, whom we remember for his work at Hackaday, proposes a more suitable solution: Minimum Viable Computer, a portable Linux computer that under the right conditions could be worth only $15.
One of the problems that every power user or DIY enthusiast must face is that modern devices do not account for that kind of profile. Without going too far, the vast majority of smartphone manufacturers (and mobile operating system developers, I must add) still deny root access, and much of our effort is concentrated on activating it without causing damage. Yes, there are solid reasons to block root access, but if the user knows what they're doing…
As an alternative, we can always look for a better solution in the DIY world, and that brings us to Brian Benchoff's blog, known for his participation in Hackaday. Brian's idea is to build something more advanced (not so much in specifications, but in functionality) and economical at the same time, and his result is a kind of "Swiss Army knife with Linux", a mini portable computer with a bill of materials that does not exceed $15.
Minimum Viable Computer: Concept of a $15 Portable Linux Computer
This computer is defined by four parameters: a physical keyboard, a USB port to connect to other devices, a battery that guarantees its portability, and a Linux environment without a graphical interface. Price is a fundamental factor, and in this era of chronic scarcity it is difficult to prepare an adequate configuration, so Brian explains that building the first unit costs $10,000, and the 10,000th unit is the one that costs $15.
Minimum Viable Computer is based on an Allwinner F1C100s SoC with a single core running at 533 MHz and 32 MB of integrated DDR RAM. The screen is 2.3 inches at 320 x 240, it has a microSD slot, two USB ports (one Type-C only for charging), the 48-key keyboard is silicon membrane like a remote control (by placing its circuit on the PCB, the keyboard is "free"), and it uses two rechargeable AAA NiMH batteries.
In summary, the goal is for Minimum Viable Computer to be very compact and very cheap, with all the potential of Linux in our pockets. Obviously, being a concept, it will need a lot of time and money to become a reality, but first we have to confirm whether the market wants 10,000 of these little monsters. Would you like to have one?
Official site: Click here
